Do you feel a throbbing headache after seeing blind spots, or zigzag patterns? If yes, then you might be suffering from an attack of ocular migraine, which is a type of migraine that causes visual disturbance particularly in one eye, and within an hour a migraine headache. Its symptoms can range from moderate to severe. However, most of the episodes occur by trigger. Avoiding triggers can help you prevent this migraine. Learn about ocular migraine causes, triggers, symptoms, and relief options in this article. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.
Causes
The exact cause of ocular migraines is unclear, it is believed that it has the same causes as migraine headaches. Migraine headaches occur due to genetic factors, and some studies show that up to 70% of people who suffer ocular migraines have a family history of migraine headaches.
Another possibility, according to some experts, is the narrowing of the arteries or veins in the eye. According to the World Health Organization, migraine headaches may be triggered by the activation of mechanisms deep in the brain, which produce inflammatory substances around nerves and blood vessels in the head and brain. Imaging studies found that auras reveal blood flow changes in the brain during ocular migraines and migraines.
Some people are at higher risk of experiencing ocular migraine than others, like:
- People who are between the ages of 30 to 39 years.
- Having a personal or family history of migraine.
- Have other conditions like atherosclerosis, epilepsy, lupus, and sickle cell disease.
- Are female.
Triggers
People who experience ocular migraine may experience triggers that are similar to migraine with aura. Some common triggers are:
- Stress
- Hypertension
- Smoking
- Bending over
- Exercise
- Low blood sugar
- Hormonal contraceptive pills
- High altitude
- Excessive heat
- Dehydration
- Alcohol and caffeine
- Red wine
- Chocolate
- Perfumes
- Glaring and flickering lights
- Lack of sleep
- Artificial sweeteners
- Bright lights
- Louds sounds
You should try to identify your triggers in your headache diary so that you can either prevent those triggers or make yourself prepared for migraine episodes with the necessary medication.
Symptoms
Ocular migraine symptoms can vary from person to person. However, the main symptoms are visual disturbances in only one eye, or with aura, and a migraine headache. The visual symptoms of ocular migraine with aura may include:
- Flashing, sparkling, or flickering lights.
- Zigzagging patterns
- Temporary blindness
- Floating lines
- Blind spots that result in partial or total blindness.
These symptoms usually last for 10 to 20 minutes before your vision starts to get better. The attacks always affect the same eye in most cases. A migraine headache happens before, during, or within an hour after the attack. You may experience symptoms of migraine headaches including:
- Pulsing, throbbing, or dull pain, usually behind the affected eye.
- Moderate to severe pain.
- Activities like walking and climbing stairs worsen the pain.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- High sensitivity to light, noise, and odors.
- Appetite loss.
- Feeling warm and cold.
- Pale skin color.
- Feeling fatigued.
Relief options
Ocular migraines usually don’t require treatment if they occur once in a while, just make sure you’re not doing any activity like driving or climbing that can be dangerous. However, if your migraine episodes are frequent and affect your everyday life, then you should seek medical treatment. The treatment’s main goal is to reduce the number of attacks and relieve the symptoms. It includes:
- Avoid possible triggers:
You need to assess the situation and things that trigger your ocular migraines. Keep a diary in which you note when and how your migraines occur. Avoid those factors to lower the number of attacks you have.
- Medications:
Both over the counter and prescription medications are used to treat recurring migraine episodes. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or Excedrin can reduce the symptoms of migraine.
Other medications that doctors prescribe to manage ocular migraine based on your triggers are: beta-blockers to manage blood pressure, anti-epileptics to manage epilepsy, antidepressants to manage depression, and CGRP inhibitors to manage migraines. Some of these prescription medications need to be taken regularly instead of required when you get migraine symptom flares.
- Lifestyle changes and home remedies:
Some lifestyle changes and home remedies can help you manage the symptoms:
- Enough and proper sleep: Getting enough sleep will help you avoid migraines and ease your symptoms. Experts recommend you should go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, limit or avoid your screen time before going to bed and spend some time in natural light during the day. If you feel a migraine coming on during the day then, try to take a nap.
- Get enough exercise: You shouldn’t exercise during a migraine, however, getting some regular light-impact exercise may prevent attacks and reduce symptoms if you have them. Experts recommend walking and yoga are good options for light-impact exercise. If you feel a migraine is occurring, some people do a bit of light exercise to stop it before it gets worse.
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration can lead to headaches, and in many people, it triggers a migraine. So, drink plenty of water regularly (around 64 ounces a day). If you feel a headache coming on, it may be a sign that you should drink water. If you can, keep water with you and drink in sips throughout the day.
- Dim your lights: Light sensitivity is a very common trigger for migraines. So, keep the lights in your living space and office dim to prevent migraine attacks. Several things can be done when you’re feeling sensitive to light, including:
- Use blackout curtains on your windows that block harsh lights.
- Wear sunglasses when going outside.
- Add anti-glare screens to your computer.
- Use daylight-spectrum fluorescent bulbs indoors.
- Use a cold and hot compress when you have a migraine: Keep a cold compress or bag of ice close to you and put it on the temple or neck when you feel an attack coming on. Some people prefer a hot compress instead of a cold one. No matter what compress you use, don’t leave a compress on for more than 15 minutes because it can damage your skin.
- Scalp massage: A massage to the scalp can relieve tension and promote blood circulation in the muscles of the scalp and neck. It also reduces your pain as well.
Ocular migraine is a type of migraine that causes visual disturbances mostly in one eye with a migraine headache, before, during, or later (within an hour). The exact cause of ocular migraine is unknown; however, genetic factors and certain health conditions may cause this condition. Most people experience ocular migraine due to a trigger, which should be noted and try to prevent it to avoid migraine episodes. If your migraine episode happens once in a while, you don’t need to get treatment. However, if it is regular and impacts your everyday life, then you should get treatment. Treatment includes medications and avoiding the triggers to lower the number of episodes and manage their symptoms.
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